Degenerative Arthritis
- What is Degenerative Arthritis?
- Primarily, degenerative arthritis (i.e. Osteoarthritis) leads to damage to the joint cartilage.
- What is the cause?
- Primary:
- Unknown trigger
- Secondary:
- Minor trauma
- Repeated microtrauma
- Metabolic disease
- Congenital malformations
- Signs and Symptoms:
- Pain
- Located at the shoulder and upper arm
- Increases with activity
- Constant and aching
- Relieved with rest and heat
- Difficulty sleeping
- Progressive loss of range of motion
- Grating or popping sensation with use of the joint
- Crepitus may be observed during physical examination
- Muscle wasting
- Gradual decrease in functional ability
- Unable to perform activities of daily life (i.e. combing hair, donn/doffing clothing)
- Pain referral pattern:
- Pain is localized around the shoulder and upper arm
- Diagnostic tools to rule in/out:
- Physical Examination: Observation, pain pattern, palpation
- Plain Radiographs
- MRI, if RC tear is suspected
- Presentation of the disease:
- Pain
- Mechanical pain with to mobilization
- Can increase with fatigue and decrease with rest
- AM pain or after period of inactivity
- No overnight pain
- Pain levels vary, but is dull.
- Limitation in movement:
- Insidious and progressive with time
- Due to change in articular spaces and joint surfaces
- Stiffness in the AM
- Mobilization of the joint and palpation of the joint can result in hearing cracking, scraping, and crepitus
- Normal color and temperature